As a councillor as well a member of the community, I am a firm believer in creating and preserving open spaces in every suburb. The variety of public open space can be formal or informal, created naturally or artificially, used for active or passive recreation, but they all support the social, sporting, and recreational needs of a community.

Who doesn’t enjoy being outside, enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, a nice place to walk, or a peaceful place to unwind?

Being a great place for recreation, open spaces like parks, walking trails, playgrounds, and fields help us to understand the need for more of them. These areas provide space for physical activities, encouraging people to walk and exercise. This is again crucial for several local communities who cannot make it to exercise classes or afford gym memberships.

By offering quiet areas to pause and reflect away from the city’s hustle and bustle, open spaces also improve feelings of wellbeing. This offers a break from the city and helps to lower stress.

While open areas are places for recreation, they can also serve as social gathering places where people can mingle, play, and converse. Open space can be utilized for social gatherings, cultural activities, and cooperative recreational activities.

Whether through a planned event or activity or simply because they are places where people congregate, these locations encourage interaction between members of the community. As people get to know others in their neighborhood, it fosters a sense of community that is advantageous to both adults and kids.

I am incredibly proud to be a local councilor for The Hills Shire, where we have over 300 parks and reserves spread across both urban and rural areas.

These excellent barbecue areas, kid-friendly playgrounds, bushland hiking trails, stunning formal gardens, and spacious outdoor areas are ideal for social or formal gatherings or just relaxing.

Going forward, our mission is to ensure that everyone in our local community has access to beautiful, safe, and easily accessible parks and outdoor areas.

Our main goal is to create, improve, and promote open spaces that are frequently used by local communities. We want to create environments that are inviting, safe, and enjoyable for all.